Document Type : Case Report(s)

Author

• Seyed Abbas Banani

Abstract

Although uncommon, different kinds of foreign bodies, most of which metallic, have been reported to enter the appendix. The present report describes a case with a metallic foreign body-induced appendicitis, and makes suggestion in regards to the diagnosis and management of the problem. A metallic foreign body was accidentally observed in the right lower quadrant region in an abdominal X-ray taken after blunt trauma in a 6-year-old boy. After 4 months of persistent presence of foreign body not related to trauma, the patient was apparently asymptomatic, and there was a mild to moderate Mc-Burney tenderness. Exploration revealed the presence of an air-rifle buckshot in the proximal part of the appendix causing appendicitis due to luminal obstruction. Histopathologic study of the appendix revealed inflammation and serositis.

Keywords

• Appendicitis
• foreign body
• abdominal X-ray